AD 2021-10-08

This AD is effective June 11, 2021.

For service information identified in this final rule, contact Bell Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 433-0272; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com. You may view the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email hal.jensen@faa.gov.

The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, with certain switch units part number (P/N) 206-063-613-003 installed. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on March 12, 2021 (86 FR 14020). The FAA preceded the SNPRM with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2006 (71 FR 35836).

The NPRM was prompted by Canadian AD CF-2004-24, dated November 24, 2004, issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, to correct an unsafe condition for Model 206L series helicopters. Transport Canada advised that eight low fuel level detectors of listed serial numbers (S/Ns) may have been installed on Model 206L series helicopters. These detectors could hang in the high position and fail to indicate the low fuel condition. Accordingly, Transport Canada advised removing the affected switch units from service.

The SNPRM was prompted by a significant lapse of time since publication of the NPRM. The SNPRM also revised the NPRM by updating the type certificate holder's name, updating the estimated cost information, clarifying and expanding the applicability, clarifying the requirements, adding a compliance time, adding parts installation prohibitions, and updating the AD format.

The SNPRM proposed to require removing switch unit P/N 206-063-613-003 with S/N 1413, 1414, 1415, 1424, 1428, 1430, 1432, and 1433 from service and prohibit installing those switch units. The SNPRM proposed to require accomplishing an operational test of switch unit P/N 206-063-613-003 with a missing or illegible switch unit S/N or with an S/N that cannot be determined, and if the operational test fails, removing the switch unit from service. The SNPRM also proposed to prohibit installing switch unit P/N 206-063-613-003 with a missing or illegible switch unit S/N or with an S/N that cannot be determined unless it passes an operational test.

The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination of the costs.

These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its technical representative, has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these helicopters.

The FAA reviewed Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-04-132, Revision A, dated October 4, 2004. This service information specifies procedures for determining whether any of eight specified serial-numbered detector switch units are installed because they may fail to indicate a low fuel condition. If the S/N is missing or unreadable, the service information specifies inspecting the switch unit to determine if it is an affected switch unit. The service information also specifies removing each affected switch unit.

This AD applies to switch units with a missing or illegible S/N or with an S/N that cannot be determined, and requires certain actions for those switch units, whereas the Transport Canada AD does not.

The FAA estimates that this AD affects up to 558 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.

Replacing a switch unit takes about 4 work-hours and parts cost about $921 for an estimated cost of $1,261 per switch unit and up to $703,638 for the U.S. fleet. Accomplishing an operational test takes about 4 work-hours for an estimated cost of $340 per switch unit and up to $189,720 for the U.S. fleet.

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on helicopters identified in this rulemaking action.

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: